Is Menstruation Obsolete?

doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7282.370

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Carl De Crée, senior scientist in reproductive endocrinology and exercise science

Zaventem, Belgium

Elsimar M Coutinho, Sheldon J Segal

Oxford University Press, £15.95, pp 190

ISBN 0 19 5113021 9

Rating: Embedded Image

Menstruation is one of the most prominent anthropological taboos to have left its mark on present day society. Women who are menstruating have been branded as impure and, in a not too distant past, were accused of turning cow's milk sour or causing iron to rust. Elsimar Coutinho claims that “tecurrent menstruation is unnecessary and can be harmful to the health of women. It is a needless loss of blood.” This statement represents the key message of the book. Coutinho advocates an almost …